Executive Summary

New research reveals that empowering women in households significantly increases the adoption of cleaner cooking fuels in Ghana. The study finds that female-headed households are more likely to use clean energy sources compared to those headed by men.

The investigation highlights that both dejure (with absolute control) and de facto (with partial control) female-headed households demonstrate a higher likelihood of adopting cleaner cooking fuels. Furthermore, these households tend to prioritise essential expenditures on cooking fuel and food over non-essential items such as alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics.

The research underscores the critical role of women in household decision-making and suggests that policies aimed at empowering women could be an effective strategy to reduce energy poverty in Ghana. However, the study also notes the need for policymakers to navigate the complex sociocultural landscape carefully to implement these changes effectively.

Description of the Problem

Women's empowerment is a multifaceted concept where women are considered active agents of social change, rather than passive objects. A significant component of empowering women involves their increased participation in decision-making processes. In a household context, this empowerment seeks to address and rectify the power imbalance between men and women, potentially improving overall household welfare. Female headship within a household serves as a strong indicator of women's empowerment, as it often correlates with increased decision-making power. In developing countries, energy poverty is defined as the lack of access to modern energy services, such as electricity and clean fuels for cooking.

The energy ladder hypothesis suggests that households using advanced forms of cooking fuels (like electricity and gas) are considered energy-rich, while those using transition fuels (such as charcoal) or primitive fuels (such as firewood) are seen as energy-poor. Nearly half of the global population, including 700 million Africans, rely on biomass fuels for cooking.

These fuels are typically burned in open fires indoors, leading to high levels of household air pollution. This pollution disproportionately affects women and children due to their domestic roles, resulting in various adverse health outcomes. Empowering women to participate more actively in household decision-making could promote the adoption of cleaner cooking fuels, thereby reducing energy poverty and improving health outcomes.

Women are often more likely to adopt healthier lifestyles than men, further supporting this shift. Empowering women and eliminating energy poverty is central to the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals. Therefore, understanding how women's empowerment influences energy poverty is crucial for informing relevant policy initiatives. Despite its importance, the relevant literature and empirical evidence on this topic remain limited.

Research Approach and Results

This research utilizes data from four rounds of the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS): GLSS 4 (1998/1999), GLSS 5 (2005/2006), GLSS 6 (2012/2013), and GLSS 7 (2016/2017). The GLSS is a nationally representative survey of the population living in private households and provides a comprehensive overview of household dynamics across Ghana. The research employs quantitative analysis, focusing on regression analysis to draw conclusions.

Key Findings:

• Female-headed households are more likely to use cleaner cooking fuels, such as electricity or gas, compared to maleheaded households.

• Within female-headed households, both de jure (absolute control) and de facto (partial control) heads show a higher propensity for cleaner fuel usage.

• Female-headed households prioritise spending on essential items like cooking fuel and food over non-essential items such as alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics.

• De jure female heads allocate fewer resources to non-essential expenses compared to their de facto counterparts, likely due to their absolute control over household resources.

• Avoiding expenditures on non-essential items helps female-headed households adopt cleaner cooking fuels.

Policy Insights

Empowering women in households is crucial for reducing energy poverty in Ghana. The findings reveal a direct link between women's empowerment and the likelihood of adopting cleaner energy sources. Large-scale, blanket social interventions may not be as effective in combating energy poverty as targeted policies that focus on empowering women and enhancing their decision-making roles within households.

Policy Recommendations:

1. Enhancing Women's Decision-Making Power: Promote policies that support and enhance women's roles in household decision-making. This can be achieved through educational programs, financial incentives, and legal frameworks that protect and empower women.

2. Targeted Interventions: Design and implement programs specifically aimed at empowering women. These could include microfinance initiatives, leadership training, and community-based support systems that encourage women's participation in household and community decision-making.

3. Cultural Sensitivity: Address deep-rooted socio-cultural and religious norms that traditionally position men as primary decision-makers. Policymakers should work with local leaders and communities to promote the benefits of shared decision-making and gradual normative changes.

4. Community Education: Integrate gender empowerment goals with broader community education programs. Highlight the health, economic, and social benefits of using cleaner cooking fuels and the importance of women's participation in decision-making

5. Gradual Normative Changes: Implement policies that encourage gradual changes in norms and attitudes towards gender roles. This can include media campaigns, school curricula, and public discussions that promote gender equality and women's empowerment. Implementation Challenges:

 • Socio-Cultural Resistance: Overcoming resistance to changes in traditional gender roles requires sensitive and strategic approaches. Policymakers must engage with community leaders and use culturally appropriate methods to promote gender equality

Economic Constraints: Ensuring that women have access to the financial resources needed to adopt cleaner cooking fuels is essential. This may involve providing subsidies, microloans, or other financial support mechanisms.

• Policy Coordination: Effective implementation of these policies requires coordination across various sectors, including health, education, energy, and finance. Policymakers must work together to create a holistic approach to women's empowerment and energy poverty reduction.

By strategically focusing on empowering women within households, policymakers can make significant strides in reducing energy poverty and improving overall household welfare in Ghana. This approach not only addresses energy poverty but also promotes gender equality and healthier, more sustainable living conditions for all.

Reference Iddrisu, A. G., Phimister, E., & Zangelidis, A. (2023). Women’s Empowerment in Households and Use of Cleaner Cooking Fuel in Ghana. (Discussion Papers in Economics and Finance; No. 23-2).